Controlling means for internal-combustion-engine plants



E. KGI

CONTROLLING MEANS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE PLANTS Original Filed Sept. 22 I1914 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented pr. 24, 1923.

EMIL KGI, 0F WINTERTHUR, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 BUSCH-SULZER BROS.- DIESEL ENGINE COMPANY, OIl'V ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORIQRATION 0F MISSOURI.

CONTROLLING MEANS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION-ENGINE PLANTS.

Application filed September 22, 1914, Serial No. l862,922. Renewed August 3, 1917. Serial-No. 184,360.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EMIL K GI, a citizen of the Republic of Switzerland, residing at Winterthur, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland,

l have invented the following new and useful Improvements in AControllin Means for Internal-Combustion-Engine lants.

The improvement concerns the manner of regulating and operating internal combustion engines, and includes among its objects, the attainment of high torque at low speeds or when starting or reversing. the engine, and also certain other features of advantage and convenience which will be made apparent below. The invention is illustrated in the two sheets of drawings forming part hereof, as applied to a vehicle in which hi h torque at ylow speeds is particularly desirable.

F ig. 1 is a schematic representation of a simple arrangement of parts applied to a vehicle driven by a Diesel type two-cycle engine;

Fig. 2 is a similar schematic arrangement of the same general system, also in a vehicle, and arranged for propulsion in either direction. y l

Figs. 3 and 4 are plan and elevation views,

respectively. l

Referring first to Fig. 1, the vehicle shown is driven in any suitable manner by the combustion engine, marked 1 and intended to represent not only a. single engine cylinder but such number of cylinders as may be employed as the prime mover. In the pres-- ent case the engine is indicated as a twocycle Diesel engine directly connected with Ythe propelling wheels of the vehicle. The

fuel injection valve 2 is adapted to be operatedthrough a bell-crank lever 3 from a .cam 4, and the fulcrum 5 of thebell-crank is eccentrically mounted and provided 'with a crank arm 6 by which the pivotal axis of the bell-crank can be shifted to vary the extent of operation, that 'is to say the duration of opening, of the valve 2. The connecting rod 7 secured to the end lof the crank arm 6 is connected with a con- -trol lever 8 fulcrumed on asha-ft 9 in a location which is convenient to the operator. The compressed air supply for the fuel injection valve 2 is not shown, but the fuel supply is indicated by the fuel pump 10, the plunger of which is actuated by a lever 11 from the axle of the `propelling wheels.

Vrlhe fulcrum of the lever 11 is formed by a.

sliding sleeve 12 pivotally carried on one arm of a bell-crank 13, the other arm of lwhich is connected to a` second control lever ying lever 11 can be varied to thereby vary the stroke of the fuel pump plunger, causing the same to deliver more or less fue-l to the fuel valve 2 in accordance with the requirements. The fuel pump is merely indicative of a fuel supply means, and it will be understood that operation of the lever 14 can be made to control the amount of fuel supplied to the injection valve in various other ways; for example, it might control the suction valve of a fuel pump, according to the principle now' in general use for Diesel engines. l

The valve 15 is a compressed air valve adapted to admit highly compressed'l air to the combustion space of the engine, either for starting the engine solely by the expansive force of such` air, or as a super-charge of air used in conjunction with the regular combustion taking place inthe engine. When used to admit a super-charge of compressed air to supplement or augment the combustion expansion, the greatest torque on the vehicle axles will be produced, and on such koccasions it may'be necessary .also to increase the fuel charge, as, for instance, by adjustment of the fuel pump and injection valve, one or both, depending on circumstances. The invention provides means whereby such inter-regulation of parts may be accomplished in different predetermined relationships, so that a variety of effects may be produced. The compressed air valve 15 is operated by a bell-crank lever 16 from a cam 17, the lfulcrum of the bell-crank being an adjustable eccentric as in the case of the fuel inject-ion valve lever, with its operating arm 18 connected to the third control lever 19, which is also fulcrumed on the axis 9. Operation of any one of the levers 8.14 and 19 will serve to control the extent of operation valve and the fuel pump, the valve and pump being always maintained in a definite relationship. The control member lever 8 also carries a latch 22 whereby it may be interlocked with a fixed segment 23 and Vthereby held fixed in any position to which it may have been moved. The control lever 19 is pro-vided with a, double latch 24, the upper part of which also engages the fixed segment 23 whereby that lever can be set and locked at different positions of adjustment and independently of the levers 8 and 14. The lower part of the latch 24, however, is adapted to engage a segment 25 carried on the lever 8 and when engaging the same the upper part of the latch 24 is thereby held out of engagement with the fixed segment 23. All three control levers may thus be` locked together so that movement of one results in movement of all, and each may be adjusted relatively to the other two. rlhus the operator of the engine having first set the various levers according to the necessities of the occasion may thereafter move but a single lever `to control the operation of the'engine. By setting the control lever 19 in the neutral position indicated in the drawings, the compressed air valve 15 can be rendered wholly inoperative and the engine can be controlled by varying the fuel supply only, as will now be apparent.

Referring to Fig. 2, the vehicle and internal combustion engine propelling apparatus may be assumed to be arranged and to operate as in the preceding figure. The fuel injection valve 2 in this form of the invention is operated by a bell-crank 26, the other arm of which carries an adjustable striking piece 27 adapted to be engaged by the roll 28b of the cam shaft 28a. This shaft 28a as also the shaft of the cams 4 and 17 in the preceding figure, are both to be assumed to be geared with the engine so as to be driven thereby in the usual way. According as the striking piece 27 is inclined to the right or the left as respects its bell-crank 26, the cam roll 28" will engage therewith and operate the fuel valve on one side or the other of compression dead-centre, and thus by its adjustment will accommodate the fuel valve for operation of the engine in either direction. The striking piece 27 is connected by a connecting-rod 28 with the injection valve control lever 29. which corresponds to the control lever 8 above described. This lever 29 is in the present case mounted so as to be capable of rotation upon a drum journalled on a fixed supporting shaft 30. The drum is provided at each end with rows of notches, marked 31 and 32 respectively, and the hub of the lever 29 is journalled on the drumbetween the notches. 'being adapted to interlock with the notches 31 by means of its hand-latch 33. `When the lever is latched to the drum, the operation of the former will rotate the latter and also rotate such other parts as may be connected thereto. When the lever 29 is set in the neutral position, which may be midway between its two extremes of movement, the striking piece 27 will be in a neutral position and the fuel injection valve thereby rendered inactive. ltlovement of the lever in either direction will then produce operation of the fuel valve to greater or less extent, in accordance with the extent of such movement. The fuel pump 34 is operated by a lever 35 from the driving gearing, and the fulcrum of the lever is carried on a sliding yoke 36 which is guided on two upright posts 37` so as to be capable of occupying different positions thereon to vary the stroke of the pump plunger correspondingly. The fuel pump lever 38 which controls the elevation of the sliding yoke, is journalled on the supporting shaft 30 adjacent to the row of notches 32 on one end of the drum above referred to, and is provided with a latch 39 whereby it may be locked to the drum in different predetermined relations tothe injection control valve lever 29. Its connection with the sliding yoke is by way of a pin engaging the yoke slot 36, which slot in the present case is V- shaped so that the stroke of the fuel pump will be reduced to a minimum when thel lever 38 holds a substantially mid or neutral position. By this arrangement it will be apparent that thenlevers 29 and 38 may both be locked to the rotary drum in any desired angular relationship and then moved together as desired without changing that relationship.

The air injection valve 15 is arranged to be operated by a bell-crank 40 similar to the bell-crank 26 above described, and carrying a similar striking piece 41 adapted for engagement with a -similar cam roll 42 on the cam shaft 28u. The striking piece 41 is connected by a connecting rod 43 with the remaining control lever 44, which latter is journalled on the supporting shaft 30 on the other end of the drum. adjacent the row of notches 31. This lever 44 has a hand-latch 45 whereb it may be interlocked with the drum in dr ferent angular positions. and when in its mid position, holds the striking piece 41 so that it is not engaged by the cam roll 42, thusholding the compressed air valve inoperative as long as such position is maintained. When the lever 44. however, is interlocked with the drum, it will be evident that all of the levers may then be rotated in unison and may be moved to and through the dead centre or neutral position as desired. ln order to permit such rotation. the drum is unlocked by pressing on a push-button 46, which releases a spring pawl 47, normally engaging the notch teeth 31 on the drum.

lt will, of course, be understood that the structural arrangement of the foregoing parts is schematic and subject to embodiment in various forms of mechanical design.

1. In a combustion engine plant, the combination with a fuel valve, a fuel pump, a valve for admitting compressed air for starting and also as a supercharge during combustion running, and suitable engine-driven means for operating said valves and pump, of separate members for controlling the timing` of the said valves and the action of the fuel pump, and means for interlocking said separate members for simultaneous opera.- tion in different rela-tive adjustments, the control members being also operable independently of each other.

2. The combination with an internal combustion engine of the type wherein the fuel is injected into a body of highly compressed air existing in the cylinder during a considerable portion of the working stroke, of a fuel valve, a valve for admitting compressed air for pneumatic startingor as a super-` charge during combu-stion running, and en! gine'operated mechanism for opening and closing said valves, of control members for varying the time of opening of said valves. and means for interlocking said control members for simultaneous operation within a certain range of different relative adjustments, said means permitting the air valve to be opened independently of the fuel valve or to be .thrown out of operation en- Atirely. p 3. The combination with an internal combustion engine of the type wherein the fuel is injected into a body of highly compressed air in the cylinder during a considerable porI tion of the working stroke, of a fuel Valve, a valve for admitting compressed air, independently operable control members for said valves, and means for interlocking said members for conjoint. operation in arela? air existingl in the cylinder during .a considerable portion of the working stroke` of mean-s including a valve for admitting com-l pressed air to the cylinderA of the engine v for pneumatic starting or as a supercharge 'during combustion running, suitable enginej operated means for opening and closing the fuel and compressed air valves, means for causing either of the valves to operate without the other, and interlocking control means whereby lthe Valves may be caused to operate together at different relative adjust'` ments.

5. In an internal combustion engine, a

engine-operated means for opening and closing said Valves, combined with separate Vmembers controlling the operation of the valves, means enabling said control members to be adjusted independently or in interlocked relation, said means also permitting the interlocked relation of the members to be varied, whereby the compressed air valve may be used alone as a starting Valve or in conjunction with the fuel injection valve for introducing an additional charge of air dur-v ing combustion lrunning and whereby the ratio between these two factors may be varied, combined also with a fuel pump and a member controlling the action thereof and adapted to be operated independently of the other control members or to be interlocked therewith in predetermined relation.

6. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a valve for injecting fuel into a body of highly compressed air existing in the cylj inder, a separate valve for admitting compressed air to the cylinder, and suitable en gine-operated means fory opening and closing saidl valves, combined with Separate members controlling the operation ofthe valves, means enabling said control members to be adjusted independently or in ini lterlocked relation, said means also permitting the interlocked relation of the members to be varied, whereby the compressed air valve may be used alone as a starting valve or in conjunction with the fuel injection valve for introducing an additional charge vof air during combustion running and whereby the ratio between these two factors may be varied.

V7. The combination with a working cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type wherein liquid .fuel` is injected into a. body of highly compressed air in the cylinder during a' substantial portion of the working stroke, of a fuel injection valve and i means for operating the same accordingly, a

valve connected with a source of high pressure air suitable for starting the engine, means for operating either of said valves alone or both together, in which latter event.

the starting valve serves' to admit a super- .charge duringv combustion running, and

means for varyingvthe quantity of the fuel injection.

8. The combination witha working cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type wherein liquid fuel is injected into a.

body of' highly compressedair in the cylinder during a substantial portion of the workling stroke, of a fuel injection valve 'and means for operating the same accordingly, means including an air valve for admitting a super-charge of compressed air simultanevously with the injection of fuel, and means for varying the duration of opening of both said valves.

9. The combination with a working cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the typejvherein liquid fuel is injected into a body of highly compressed air in the cylinder during a substantial portion of the working stroke, of a fuel injection valve and means for operating the same accordingly, means including an air valve for admitting a super-charge of compressed air simultaneously with the injection of fuel. means whereby said air super-charge valve may be set into or out of action, and a common control for varying the duration of opening of both valves.

10. The combination with a working cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type wherein liquid fuel is injected into a body of highly compressed air in the cylinder during a substantial portion of the Working stroke, of a fuel injection valve and 'means for operating the same accordingly,

means including an air valve for admitting a super-charge of compressed air simultaneously With the injection of fuel, an attendants control handle, and connections whereby movement of said handle will vary the timing of both said valves.

11. The combination with a working cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type wherein liquid fuel is injected into a body of highly compressed air in the cylinder during a substantial portion of the working stroke, of a fuel injection valve and means for operating the same accordingly, means including an air valve for admitting a super-charge of compressed air simultaneously with the injection of fuel, a control device for adjusting the operation of the fuel injection valve, another control device for adjusting the operation of the air super-charge valve, and means for locking the control devices together for conjoint operation.

12. The combination with a working cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type wherein liquid fuel is injected into a body of highly compressed air in the cylinder during a substantial portion of the working stroke, of a fuel injection valve and means for operating the same accordingly, means for supplying fuel to the injection valve, a control handle. and means whereby operation of said handle may vary both the duration of opening of the fuel valve and the rate of supplying fuel thereto.

13. The combination with a working cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type wherein liquid fuel is injected into a body of highly compressed air in the cylinder during a substantial portion of the working stroke, of a fuel injection valvel and means for operating the same accordingly, means for supplying fuel to the injection valve, mechanism for varying the duration of opening of the injection valve, an independently operable mechanism for varying the rate of supply of fuel thereto, and means for effecting conjoint operation of both said mechanisms in varying relations to each other.

1-1. ln an internal combustion engine` the combination of a fuel injection valve and means for operating the same accordingly, means including an appropriate engine-operated valve for supplying and admitting high pressure air to the cylinder, two control handles and connections adapted independently to vary the operation of said valves, and means for adjustably interlocking said controls for simultaneous operation in varying relations.

y15. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fuel injection valve and means for operating the same accordingly, means for supplying fuel to the injection valve, separate attendants control devices for varying the duration of opening of the fuel valve and the rate of supply of fuel, and means for adjustably interlocking said control devices for simultaneous operation in varying relations.

16. In an internal combustion engine, separatev engine-operated fuel and air valves, a handle controlling each of said valves, said y handles being independently operable, and means for locking said handles together so that movement of one handle results in movement of the other.

17. ln an internal combustion engine, an

engine operated fuel valve, a fuel pump, a

handle controlling the fuel valves, another handle controlling the fuel pump operatiom' said handles being independently operable, 4and means for locking said handles together so that movement of one handle results in movement of `the other.

18. In an internal combustion engine, an lengine operated air valve, a fuel pump, a handle controlling the air valve, another handle controlling the lfuel pump operation, said handles being independently operable, and means for locking said handles together so that movement of vone handle results in movement of the other.

19. In an internal combustion engine, separate engine-operated fuel and air valves, a fuel pump, separate handles controlling the air valve, the fuel valve, and the fuel pump operation, said handles being independently operable, and means for locking said handles together so that movement 'of one handle results in movement of all.

20. In an internal combustion engine, an engine-operated fuel valve, an air valve for controlling the admission of compressed air to the engine, independently operable handles for controlling the operation of said iao valves, and means for locking said handles together so that movement of one handle 1esults in the movement of the other.

2l. Inl aninternal combustion engine, an engine-operated fuel inlet valv'e, an engineoperated valve controlling the admission of compressed air to the engine, independently operable handles for controlling the operation of said valves, and means for locking 10 said handles together in diferent relations so that movement of one handle results in the movement of the other While the relation between the handles is maintained.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two wit- 15 

